All posts by skyebjenner

Fate’s Edge by Ilona Andrews

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Fate's Edge

Title: Fate’s Edge
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: The Edge #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ace Fantasy
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: His voice trembled slightly.

Synopsis

The Edge lies between worlds, on the border between the Broken, where people shop at Wal-Mart and magic is a fairy tale – and the Weird, where bludblood aristocrats rule, changelings roam, and the strength of your magic can change your destiny…

Born into a family of con men, Audrey Callahan left behind her life in the Edge for an unmagical existence in the Broken. Audrey is determined to stay on the straight and narrow, but when her brother gets into hot water, she takes on one last heist and finds herself matching wits with a jack-of-all-trades.

Kaldar Mar is a gambler, a lawyer, a thief, and a spy with some unusual talents that guarantee him lucrative work. His latest assignment has him tracking down a stolen item, and Kaldar doesn’t expect much of a challenge – until Audrey turns up to give him a run for his money.

But when the missing object falls into the hands of a lethal criminal, Kaldar realizes that in order to finish the job and survive, he’s going to need Audrey’s help…

Thoughts

I always love it when there is a character that is cheeky, mischievous and a bit of a trickster. Kaldar’s presence in Bayou Moon filled this urge perfectly – he’s a bit of a trickster, but with a deadly edge to his every move. The fact that he spent the majority of Bayou Moon purposely going out of his way to irritate William just made me love him even more. So, an edge novel all about him – and his partner… I was ridiculously excited to jump into this series.

Audrey was an interesting change from Cerise and Rose – she isn’t a killer or able to physically defend herself. Instead, she is constantly finding ways to con herself in and out of situations. Which, surprisingly at the end of the story, is what helps to save the day. Although Kaldar’s humour shines through in his past appearances, it’s his deadlier side which is highlighted in Fate’s Edge, and it is this aspect of himself that I took a little while to understand. Not in his characterisation, but in how Audrey and he would be able to end up together. After all, he’s a spy and although a conman, it’s his swordsmanship and cutthroat familial ethics that shine the brightest. But, somehow, it all just works. Audrey is able to see through his bullshit, and, although she isn’t able to fight, she still has an amazing tough inner-core.

George, Jack and Gaston have a great role to play in this story – predominately George and Jack. I love the brothers, the fact that they are polar opposites (like myself and my sister), but also have this same inner core. The fact that they actually make an appearance as adults in Sweep in Peace just made my jaw drop and I am completely, totally and utterly in love with their storyline now. I actually want to find out more about their lives and hope that they show up in Steel’s Edge a little more. But, even if they don’t, the ways in which they’ve already grown throughout this series has been fun – beautiful and effortless.

 <- Bayou MoonSteel’s Edge ->

Image source: Goodreads

Crow and Caper, Caper and Crow by Margo Lanagan

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Under My HatTitle: Crow and Caper, Caper and Crow
Author: Margo Lanagan
In: Under My Hat (Jonathan Strahan)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Easy reading, Fantasy, Witches
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Hot Key Books
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: It was subtly colorful and delicately patterned; everything that was so ugly when you were down among it seemed from this distance nicely worked, and human effort seemed rather dear and hopeless, even though it had cleared and scarred and excavated such great tracts of land, ruined them every which way.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

When Pen’s only son married, he and his new bride moved far away. This saddened her, because her son had fallen in love with a young woman she thought was normal and who was afraid of Pen’s magical powers. As the birth of her first grandchild approaches, Pen uses her magic to travel a long distance over sea and land to visit them and offer a blessing for the babe, but when she arrives, she discovers things about both her daughter-in-law and her new granddaughter that surprise her.

Thoughts

Every story about witchcraft that I read, whether it’s entirely fantasy-based or based in Wicca, birth and death are integral to the practice and beliefs. Which is why it is fun to read a short story that is all about birth and the turning of the circle.

Pen embarks on an epic journey across the ocean to visit her daughter-in-law and new granddaughter. She plans to do everything in secret and leave again. To greet the new life and welcome it into her world. But, as with all good stories, nothing goes as planned. Which is where the story becomes far more enjoyable.

The point at which nothing goes as planned is also the reminder of family. How important it is, and how acceptance, even after the fact can heal many wounds.

 <- Great-Grandmother in the Cellar Review Under My Hat Review ->
Image source: Frances Hardinge

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling

Book Review, , ,

Overview

Harry Potter and the Cursed ChildTitle: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Parts One and Two
Author: J.K. Rowling
Series: Harry Potter #8
Rating Out of 5: 1 (Couldn’t get past the first page)
My Bookshelves: Urban fantasy, Witches
Pace: Slow
Format: Script
Publisher: Little, Brown
Year: 2016
5th sentence, 74th page: Missed.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

The eighth story. Nineteen years later…

It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband, and father of three school-age children.

While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.

Thoughts

This was a huge disappointment. And, I knew it was going to be, because everyone that I know had said that it was kind of disappointing. I got all of the way through the first act (of four), and then I couldn’t do it any longer.

It’s not even that the writing was bad, if this was a whole new story / play, I would have probably loved the storyline. After all, it is about finding yourself and learning about the past. Or at least, that’s what I thought it was kind of about. But the trouble is that this is a story / world / universe that I am already madly in love with. Which comes with certain expectations – like the characters to remain somewhat the same. It doesn’t matter that eighteen years have passed, there is still some kind of expectation there. One that wasn’t met.

I’m not one for characters that are just pigheaded and stupid. I love reading about mistakes made because of other flaws, but those made for whiney reasons like Albus… ? Nope, couldn’t do it. He was a little too angsty and self deprecating for my tastes. And the I’m-not-loved storyline was kind of predictable. And the plot holes of things that just didn’t quite make sense… argh! It’s just not quite what I wanted in such a long-awaited sequel.

 <- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Review Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Hurts

Blog, , , , ,

Hurts

This week I hurt my wrist. I’ve torn something, or sprained something, or broken something. And it’s my right hand, so it has meant that I basically don’t get to do anything… I just sit here and watch TV, try to read (through the pain and painkiller haze) and just generally feel bored.

So much pain that I really can’t write much and don’t feel motivated to write this week….

Back to work tomorrow, hopefully my stupid owie will be okay!

Image source: Pinterest

The Carved Forest by Tim Pratt

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

Under My HatTitle: The Carved Forest
Author: Tim Pratt
In: Under My Hat (Jonathan Strahan)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fantasy, Witches
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Hot Key Books
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: Chop away.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

Carlos’ sister, Maria, has run away from home. He thinks she may have gone to the house of the woman who is rumored around town to be a witch. Carlos never believed the stories though. He always thought she was just a crazy old woman until he goes looking for Maria and finds a forest of carved trees behind the woman’s house that look exactly like all the people in his town. He quickly learns that the witch, Nedra, has been using the statues to control everyone and she wants Maria to be her apprentice. Nedra insists that she’s only keeping everyone safe from harm, but Carlos sees the truth: she’s taken away their free will. When Nedra makes everyone but Carlos forget about Maria, it’s up to Carlos to find a way to free Maria before it’s too late.

Thoughts

The Carved Forest was an interesting witch story – it provided a great reminder that you need to let go of your grief. Holding on to the past, your grief and lost loved ones only leads to pain and suffering. Not just for the one holding on to it, but everyone around them.

In this witchy-tale, the witch’s longing to protect the people in her care leads to some very serious consequences. Trapping Carlos’ sister in her witchy-world is just the tip of the ice berg. It was a more than symbolic way to show that if we keep those we love 100% safe, we’re probably not letting them truly live their lives. And it isn’t until Carlos is able to show how far he will go to protect a sibling that the witch, Carlos and the reader are able to realise the flaws in the system of protection.

 <- Which Witch Review Burning Castles Review ->
Image source: Frances Hardinge

Dread Mountain by Emily Rodda

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Dread MountainTitle: Dread Mountain
Author: Emily Rodda
Series: Deltora Quest #5, World of Deltora #5
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Easy reading, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Year: 2000
5th sentence, 74th page: But -.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World WideSynopsis

Lief, Barda and Jasmine are on a perilous quest to find the seven lost gems of the magic Belt of Deltora. Only when all gems have been restored to the Belt can Deltora be freed from the tyranny of the evil Shadow Lord.

Four gems have been found. Now, though grave news reaches Lief fro home and he longs to return, the quest must continue. To find the fifth stone the heroes must venture almost to the border of the Shadowlands, and plunge into the darkness and terror of the realm of the monstrous toad Gellick – Dread Mountain.

Thoughts

This was a great next step on Lief’s journey around Deltora. As the group continues onwards and their success increases, so does the danger that they find themselves in. This time, they find themselves meeting mysterious legends, finding the true story of Doom’s past and solving the mystery of the Grey Guards’ blister balls.

I loved the Kin – they’re a gorgeous kangaroo-type creature that is believed extinct, and help Lief, Barda and Jasmine on their journey in a fantastic manner. As with everything on this journey, there is a sense of destiny and fate in the path that they take. Not only are they able to uncover the fifth gem, but they also dismantle another one of the Shadowlords plans and schemes. This journey is no longer just about finding the seven gems of the belt, but also showing the extent of the Shadowlords dark tyranny.

I loved the ease with which this book could be read. Yes, I know that it is aimed at a younger generation, but it is the perfect book for late at night when I can’t sleep, but still want to read. It’s easy, fun and has just enough mystery that you still have to think while turning from page to page.

 <- The Shifting Sands Review The Maze of the Beast Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Drowned Wednesday by Garth Nix

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

Drowned WednesdayTitle: Drowned Wednesday
Author: Garth Nix
Series: Keys to the Kingdom #3
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Easy reading, Fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: Arthur heard a muffled bang come from behind them and looked astern, just in time to see the flash of the Shiver’s bowchasers, followed by that same whistling screech.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

Arthur Penhaligon has a broken leg and a bad attack of asthma, but there’s no time for recovery. Drowned Wednesday has sent a ship to pluck him from the safety of his bed, miles from any ocean, and sail him back to the House.

From hospital room to high seas, Arthur must battle pirates, storms, monsters made of Nothing and a vast beast that can’t stop eating. Arthur struggles to unravel the mystery of the Architect’s disappearance and the plotting of the Trustees. For the sake of all that dwell in the Secondary Realms, he must discover the third part of the Will and claim the Third Key.

But first… can Arthur trust the Raised Rats? Where are Leaf and Suzy? And how will he survive life aboard the ship on the treacherous Border Sea?

Thoughts

It’s taken me this long in the series to realise that each of the Trustees has one of the seven sins as their driver… Monday was Sloth, Tuesday – Greed and Wednesday is Gluttony. It makes me want to dive into the series even more since it is so subtly and beautifully done. The idea of Drowned Wednesday being a gluttonous whale and everything that follows worked beautifully in this nautical adventure, and I think that the twists and turns of this story were some of the most surprising yet!

After his first two ‘days’ of fighting for the good of the house and the future and blah blah blah, Arthur is finally realising that he must fight back. He is unable to just sit and wait for the Trustees to attack, and he must take things into his own hands. I actually really enjoyed this change in attitude. Although I liked his refusal to lose his humanity in the first two books, it was starting to feel a little childish and whiney. Working him into the realisation that he doesn’t have a choice was far more interesting, and it also showed the spine and strength of the character. Something that was subtly implied, but never investigated as much.

I don’t know much about life on the oceans, boats or really anything to do with living on a ship. But, after reading this, I almost feel like I could understand aspects of it – Nix obviously did his research and the fluidity with which this setting fits in amongst the series really helped to emphasise this aspect of his writing. Although, since I know nothing of life on the ocean, it could just sound impressively realistic…

<- Grim Tuesday Review Sir Thursday Review ->
Image source: Wikipedia

Grim Tuesday by Garth Nix

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

Grim TuesdayTitle: Grim Tuesday
Author: Garth Nix
Series: Keys to the Kingdom #2
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Easy reading, Fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: But no bright ideas flared.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

Arthur Penhaligon is supposed to be in bed – after all, it’s only twelve hours since he saved the world. But there’s no time to rest. Grim Tuesday has laid claim to the Lower House and the First Key, and now his misshapen servants are repossessing Arthur’s world and plunging it into financial disaster. To stop them, Arthur must venture back into the House – that surreal, unpredictable realm where he almost met his death.

With companions old and new, Arthur embarks on a heart-stopping adventure that will take him from the dismal Pit of the Far Reaches, all the way to the heart of a sun and back. Racing furiously against time, Arthur must find the second piece of the Will, claim the Second Key, and save both his own world and the House from the destructive greed of Grim Tuesday.

Thoughts

It took me a long time to get to Mister Monday’s sequel – partly because I got distracted by other series, and partly because I got halfway through it and then got distracted the first time around. But, that doesn’t mean that this wasn’t a thoroughly enjoyable book, just back when I read this for the first time, it wasn’t quite fast paced and racy enough for me.

Less than twenty-four hours after his adventures in Mister Monday, Arthur is again required to go into the house and fight one of the evil and greedy overseers. This time, it’s the financial health and wellbeing of his family that is at risk, and even though it is a different threat, he is still willing to do anything for them. Grim Tuesday’s greed isn’t just about threatening Arthur and his family, it is also threatening the very foundation of the house.

Although it took a lot longer to find, I actually preferred the Will in this story. It was crabby, difficult and not in the slightest bit helpful. Which not only gave a new spin to the characterisation, but it also helped to create greater problems for Arthur. When he thought that he was about to triumph, the Will’s inability to be flexible (and, well, useful) throws another fun little curveball in the way. Which is always one of my favourite things about reading – the unexpected curveballs that someone else’s left-of-centre minds can throw up.

<- Mister Monday Review Drowned Wednesday Review ->
Image source: Wikipedia

The Bottle Imp by Robert Louis Stevenson

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

The Bottle ImpTitle: The Bottle Imp
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson
In: Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde and Other Strange Tales (Robert Louis Stevenson)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Classics, Easy reading, Tricksters
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Kingsford Editions
Year: 1891
5th sentence, 74th page: It was long ere slumber came to them, and, if either dozed off, it would be to wake and find the other silently weeping in the dark, or, perhaps, to wake alone, the other having fled from the house and the neighbourhood of that bottle, to pace under the bananas in the little garden, or to wander on the beach by moonlight.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World WideSynopsis

Offering an engrossing spin on a time-honored theme–the risky business of making a pact with the devil–this short story is a radiant jewel. It recounts the mercurial lot of Keawe, a Hawaiian who purchases a bottle inhabited by an imp capable of granting any wish. Yet this enticing object holds a dark curse: anyone who dies with it in his possession will burn forever in hell. And here’s the rub: one can sell the bottle only for less than its purchase price. Keawe rids himself of the bottle after acquiring a palatial home. But when he needs it again to ensure his happiness with a newfound love, its cost is, chillingly, one cent, and the responsibility of ownership becomes a good deal more complex.

Thoughts

Going into this I thought it was going to be a typical imp / magic bottle story. Well, as typical as those tales can be. I was expecting the huge reward, the huge price, the huge regret at the end. Having recently discovered Robert Louis Stevenson I had quite low expectations, so I was so happily surprised when I realised that they were way too low, and this was a much better story than expected.

On the surface, The Bottle Imp is mostly about consequences. Every action has a reaction, and all of the choices we make have a consequence. Or at least, that’s the general gist. Karma, really. Each of the people who have bought the bottle gained the wealth (monetary or otherwise) that they wanted, but it came at an unforeseeable cost. The trail left shows that when people don’t work for the good things in life, it’s not as appreciated or loved.

However, underneath this story is one of a husband and wife and their unconditional love. Each is willing to sacrifice their soul to save the other and although it means an afterlife in purgatory, and a horrifying future ahead, they willingly take on the burden for each other. It’s when this message is imparted that the true “happily ever after” really comes to light.

 <- The Body Snatcher Review Markheim Review ->
Image Source: Goodreads

House Rules by Chloe Neill

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
House Rules

Title: House Rules
Author: Chloe Neill
Series: Chicagoland Vampires #7
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy, Vampires
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: New American Library
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: And my grandfather Chuck Merit.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

In a city full of vampires, trouble never sleeps.

At the tender age of twenty-seven, merit became a sword-wielding vampire. Since then, she’s become the protector of her House, watched Chicago nearly burn to the ground, and seen her Master fall and rise. Now she’ll see her mettle – and her metal – tested like never before.

It starts when two Rogues vanish without a trace. Someone is targeting Chicago’s vampires, and anyone could be next. With their House in peril, Merit and her Master, centuries-old Ethan Sullivan, must race to stop the disappearances. But as they untangle a web of secret alliances and ancient evils, they realize their foe is more familiar, and more powerful, than they could have ever imagined.

Thoughts

I still really enjoy this series, but the Ethan and Merit saga is starting to get a little old. They’re in love, they get their shit together, then something happens and it all goes up in flames. Then, at the end of the story, it’s all happily ever after. Until the next time. I’m all for a little bit of romantic drama, but in this novel I was finding it a little tedious. Plus, I like it when I actually like the lead man – and this is just making Ethan into kind of a dick.

Having said all of that, the Cadogan house leaving the vampire mafia and striking out on their own is a really enjoyable experience. It not only highlights the corruptness of some large governing bodies (power over protection, etc), but the sense in Merit and her cohorts that justice and what is right needs to come before what is politically acceptable. The addition of a vampiric serial killer into the mix helps to liven up the double-dealings and trickery that the vampires are forced to seriously consider their priorities.

The political ramifications of a serial killer who is preying on vampires is spine-chilling. They are forced to examine every which way in which somebody can break into their sanctuaries and commit murder. That, and old enemies raise their heads to create an extra patina of fear that is going to carry through the next few books (I predict anyway).

<- Biting ColdBiting Bad ->

Image source: Chloe Neill